"One for the Road:" Ramsey Lewis

By Chuck Sudo in Arts & Entertainment on Nov 12, 2010 10:40PM

Ramsey Lewis is "Exhibit 'A'" in debunking the conventional wisdom that Chicago jazz players have to go elsewhere to succeed. Over the years, Lewis has not only achieved commercial success while calling Chicago home, but he's been one of jazz music's main ambassadors. Whether it was through his former radio show on the late WNUA, his hosting the public television program "Legends of Jazz," or his role as artistic director of Jazz at Ravinia, Lewis keeps the flame alive for current jazz musicians and those who have yet to discover the music.

"The In Crowd" is Ramsey Lewis's signature tune, but we ain't playing that today and you can find plenty of versions of it on Youtube. Instead, check out this version of the Beatles' "A Hard Day's Night." It just seemed fitting to close out the week with something chill.